Too steep for Hills

Right: Endeavour Hills coach Archie Kennedy was left to rue his side’s slow start againstMaroondah o
ENDEAVOUR Hills couldn’t reel in the horse that bolted.
A wretched first half proved costly for the Endeavour Hills division two men’s team when it took on fifth-placed Maroondah away on Saturday afternoon.
Maroondah jumped the Hills early and led 13-0 at the main break, but to their credit the Hills fought back through some aggressive and attacking match play, getting within one point (16-15) with a few minutes to play.
However, they were unable to contain Maroondah’s forwards allowing them to score the next five points to seal victory 21-15 in the drizzling rain.
In a match they were expected to win, coach Archie Kennedy was disappointed with his team’s lethargic performance.
“Maroondah came out wanting to win, where as we were a little bit lazy and laid back at the start,” he said.
“We didn’t handle the conditions well and allowed them to score first and from there played catch up all day.”
The Hills were peppering the forward zone time and time again in the dying minutes, but they left themselves open to counter attacking rugby, which Maroondah capitalised on and scored to wrap up the upset win.
After half-time in greasy conditions, the Hills adapted to the constant drizzle and started to play and create a number of scoring opportunities.
Maroondah struck within the first five minutes of the half and extended its lead to 16-0, but that’s when the Hills hit back only to fall short by six points at the death.
“They were good, they made their opportunities and kept us under pressure,” said Kennedy. “We’ve got to spring out of the blocks right from the start.”
With a few key position players out with injury, Kennedy said the next couple of weeks were winnable games before they play league leaders Footscray that sits undefeated on five wins.
“You can’t take anybody for granted. Losses are never good to have, but sometimes they are good to wake everybody up.”